Flexible bracelet



J. FIELDING ET AL FLEXIBLE BRACELET Filed Nov. 7, 1923 Patented Dec. 16, 1924.

U N i "l E S'llfiil" l TENT OFFIE.

JOHN FIELDI'NG, F PROVIDENCE, AND JOSEPH P. WHITAKER, OF APPONAUG, RHODE ISLAND.

FLEXIBLE BRACELET.

Application filed November I '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN Finnnine and JOSEPH P. lVHITAKER, citizens of the United States, residing at Providence and lipponaug, respectively, in the counties of Providence and Kent, respectively, and State of lihode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flexiole, Bracelets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of flexible bracelets or chains, and has for its object to provide more particularly a flexible bracelet which comprises a multiplicity of box-like links,

each having side walls with pivotal openings and having an integral end member with a cross bar extending through the openings of the next adjacent link to pivotally connect the links together.

A further object of the invention is to form interlocking side walls in the abutting adjacent members, which interlocking portions are provided with registering pivotal openings and a T-shaped member at the end of the link whose cross-bar is arranged to extend through the openings in the next adjacent link and into those of its own link, whereby the links are pivotally and securely connected together to withstand undue separating strains.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully de scribed, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a side elevation illustrating a series of links of our improved construction connected together.

Figure 2 is a blank as out from sheet stock illustrating the general shape of our improved link before being folded.

Figure 3 shows a link with its side and end walls folded into operating position.

Figure 4 is an end view illustrating the T-shaped end wall with its cross-bar ex tending through the ears of the next adjacent link and into openings in its end link.

Figure 5 is a sectional edge elevation illustrating several of the links as connected together.

Figure 6 is a top view sectioned on line 6-6 of Figure 5, illustrating the arrange- 7, 1923. Serial No. 673,291.

ment of the parts by which our improved links are connected together.

It is found in practice that bracelets of this character are often times subjected to undue strain where they are bent back and forth and are often stretched or bent out of shape and spoiled, and in order to obviate this difliculty and provide strong and durable means for pivotally connecting together the links, we have formed an end wall or member at one end of each link having a cross-bar which extends through said ears in the next adjacent link and then into openings in the side walls of its own link or link ot' which it is a part, whereby the ends of the pivotal member are firmly supported F against being bent out of alignment thereby strengthening the construction of the links and also at the same time being enabled to form the links each of a single piece of metal including the pivotal member; and the following is a detailed description of one construction of link whereby these advantageous results may be accomplished ll ith reference to the drawings, 10 designates the top wall of our improved link on the side edges of which are formed the opposite side walls 11, ach being provided with openings 12 and 13 at its opposite ends. lhe side walls are provided with portions 14 extending beyond the top plate of the link and one end of each of these side walls is offset inwardly as at 15, see Figure 6, to it inside of adjacent ends of the next adj acent link, the openings in which interengaging ends are all arranged to register with each. other.

Each of these links is provided with an integral end member 16 having a cross-bar with laterallyextending end portions 17, and this end member is formed on that end of the link having the side wall ends which are not inset whereby when assembling the links, the end walls 16 are first bent down, then the inset ends of the end walls of the next adjacent link are folded inwardly over the end 17 of the member 16, then the side walls of the link to which the cross bar is connected are folded inwardly causing the extremities 17 of the cross-bar to enter openings 12 in these side walls, as best illustrated in Figure 4, whereby as will be seen the inset extensions of the next adjacent link engage the cross-bar inside of the outer walls Lil 11 of the link which carries the cross-bar, and the extremities .17 of the cross-bar upon entering corresponding recesses in these outer Walls 11 are firmly supported to resist undue strains which may be brought upon the links of the bracelet in handling.

In some instances, we also form the inturned lip 18 on the end of the link opposite to that of the tongue member, for closing the opening into the body of the link when the links are swung inwardly on their pivots.

Our improved construction of bracelet is extremely strong and durable and owing to the interlocking feature of the ends of the T- shaped pivotal members very thin stock may be used. The device is very inexpensive in construction in that each link is formed complete of a single piece of material and by this construction the links are securely connected together to resist undue strains'in handling. j

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but We desire it to be umlerstood that we reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes-to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims: I

1. A flexible chain comprising aplurality of links, each having side Walls with pivotal openings, and a T-shape-d' end wall with its cross-bar extending into the openings in the side walls of the next adjacent link to pivotally connect the links together.

2. A flexible ch'ain comprising a plurality of links, each having side Walls with pivotal openings at either end thereof and an integralend member having a cross-bar extend;- ing through the openings of the nextadjacent link and into openings in the side walls of the link of which it is a part for pivotally connecting the links together.

8. A flexible chain comprising a plurality of links formed of sheet stock foldedto provide a top and side walls, the latter having projecting end portions arranged to interloclcwith those 01 the next adjacent link and having registering pivot openings, and a T- shaped member at one end of each link hav ing its cross-bar extending through the openings of the next adjacent link and into those of its own link whereby the links are pivotally connected together.

4-. A flexible ch ain'comprising a, plurality of links formed of sheet stockfold'ed to provide a top wall and side walls, the latter having projecting end portions having registering openings and arranged to interlock with those or the next adjacent link, and an integral end Wall folded d ownwardly at right angles to the top wall to serve as an end closure member andihaving laterally-extending pivot members with their ends projecting through said openings in the next adjacent link and into the openings in the side walls of their own link, whereby the outer ends of said pivot members are supportedto' pivot-ally connect the adjacent links together. 1 r

5. A flexiblebracelet comprising a plu: ralit'y of links, each having itsside "walls inset on one end to fit inside of the ends of the next adjacent link, said ends having registering pivotal openings, and a member integral with one end of the link having a cross-bar extending through the inset ends of the adjacent link into the openings in the side walls of the link of Which,it is a part, whereby the outer ends of thepivo t bar are SUjJPOUt-GCl to withstand undue strain In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

JOHN FIELDING; JOSEPH P. WHITAKER. 

